Speed-changing mechanism for machine-tools.



PATENTEDI MAY 5, 1903. J. MILLS. SPEED CHANGING MECHANISM FOR MACHINE TOOLS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7. 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.go MODEL.

PATENTED MAY 5, 1903.-

J. MILLS. SPEED CHANGING MECHANISM FOR MACHINE TOOLS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7. 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

PATENTED MAY 5, 1903.

J. MILLS. SPEED CHANGING MECHANISM FOR MACHINE TOOLS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.7. 1903.

4 SHBETSSHEET 3 N0 MODEL.

E I vuemtoz QRK No. 727,404. PATENTED MAY 5, 1903. J. MILLS.

SPEED CHANGING MECHANISM FOR MACHINE TOOLS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7. 190a.

' N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

R I P as CO.PHOTD-LITHO.,WASHYNGTDN n c W atmneqy UNrThn STATES PATENT Patented May 5, 1903.

OF ICE.

JAMES MILLS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO,'ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'IO ALBERT S. SMITH, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

SPEED-CHANGING MECHANISM FOR MACHINE-TOOLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 727,404, dated May 5, 1903. Application filed January 7, 1903. Serial No. 138,095. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES MILLS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Cincinnati, county of Hamilton, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Speed-Changing Mechanism for Machine-Tools, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide simple speed-changing mechanisms for varying the speed in machine -toois such as lathes, shapers, millingmachines, planers, &c.which mechanism is always in convenient reach of the operator and may readily be changed to any speed desired without removing any of the parts or stopping the machine. In illustrating my invention I have selected in the first instance a metal-shaper in which it is desirable to make the speed-changing mechanism as compact as possible to economize space. In the second example, wherein speed is not so much of an object, I have shown a very simple form of my invention.

In this instance the friction, and consequently In the wear of the parts, is greatly reduced. the third example I have shown my device changed to move in a straight path to adapt it to planers and similar uses.

The following description of the various views of the drawings in the order set forth will enable those skilled inthe art to which my invention relates to make and use the invention, and the claims following the description will point out wherein said invention, which I claim as mine, differs from the preceding art.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are indicated by similar reference-letters wherever they occur throughout the various views, Figure l is a side elevation of a metal shaper provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a detail view, upon a greatlyenlarged scale and in horizontal sectional View, taken through line .2 z of Fig. 4.. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, upon the same scale as Fig. 2, of the revolving case which houses a driving-pinion and which carries arms, the ends of which are perforated to receive stud-bearings, upon the end of which bearings are idle pinions which couple alternately the pinion on the power-receiving shaft to either of the straight line.

tic'al longitudinal section, through the power cone-gears secured upon the power-transmitting shaft. Fig. 4 is a detail View, partly in front elevation and partly in vertical section, showing the speed changing mechanism mounted to be revolved axially around the power-receiving shaft, the con e-gears secured upon the power-transmitting shaft, and the gear-wheel to which the power is transmitted in shaping-machines. Fig. 5 is a plan View 6? of the same. Fig. 6 is a detail view, in transverse vertical section, taken on line 12 v of Fig. 5, but on a reduced scale. Fig. 7 is a detail View, in transverse vertical section, of a simple form of my invention, showing the armed housing mounted eccentric to the power-receiving shaft in order to bring the idlers carried by the arms projecting inward from the revolving case or housing alternately in mesh withthe pinion on the power-receiving shaft 'and either of the pinions on the power-transmitting shaft. ing the revolving case with'its pinion-carrying Fig. 8 is a diagram illustratarms straightened out, so as to travel in a Fig. 9 is a detail View, in verreceiving and transmitting shafts, showing the sliding bar carryingidle pinions and the means for operating said bar. Fig. 10 is a detail plan View of Fig. 9; and Fig. 11 is a detail view, partly in vertical transverse section and partly in elevation, throughline y yof Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but having slight additions to strengthen the parts, taken upon line 5cm, Fig. 13. Fig. 131m plan view of the same, taken through line w w of Fig. 12. Referring to the parts by reference-letters, (first from Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive,) A indicates the framework of the machine, in which the power-receiving shaft B and the power-trans- 9o mitting shaft 0, carrying the cone-gears, are journaled. 1) represents the driving-pulley secured upon shaft B for receiving power from any suitable counter-shaft, and t the loose shift-ing pulley journaled upon said 5 shaft 13. Secured upon shaft B is a pinion B, which in length is longer than the conegears upon the shaft 0. D represents a case or housing journaled to revolve in the frame of the machine and concentric with shaft B. It surrounds the pinion B and has projecting from it radial arms cl, the ends of which are of varying lengths. The ends of these arms are perforated to receive stud-bolts or hearings d,upon'which bearings arejournaled theidle pinions d of varying diameters, which when the housing or case D- is revolved brings one of the idle pinions d in mesh with the pinion B and one or the other of the conegears secured upon shaft 0, case D being cut out or notched, so that the idle pinions 61 may the lever-arm has been turned one full revo lution. The pinion d has one-sixth of the number of teeth thatare in pinion D, so that one turn of thelever d revolves pinion'B and the housing one-sixth of a revolution to bring one or the other of the idle pinions d in mesh with one or other of the gears upon the coneshaft G.

In the metal-shaper shown in Figs. 1 and 5 the power is transmitted from shaft 0 through a pinion Cto the gear-wheel G which is provided with a cam and strap to convert the rotary motion of the gear C) to a straight or reciprocating movement through the link C In the form shown in Fig. 7 the housing D is mounted to revolve eccentrically around the axis of shaft B and its pinion B. The gear-wheel D is, like the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 6,-inclusive, rotated by the pinion d which is mounted in bearing on frame of the machine in all respects like the pinion shown in Figs. 1 and 4," and a handle or 1e-. ver 11 operates in the same manner; but in this case it will be seen that only one of the pinions d is brought in mesh with the pinion B and one of the gear wheels on shaft 0. The mode of operating the housing D through the pinion B is the/saute as is shown for operating the straightrack-bar D (Shown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive.)

The rack-bar D is mounted to slide in guideways d secured to the frame of the machine, and/the pinions cl are mounted on the ends of stud-bolts d the same as in the preceding figures, wherein the casing is made to revolve around the shaft 13 instead of sliding at a right angle to it, as in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive.

The variations from Fig. 7 shown in Figs. 12 and 13 will be understood from the following description The power receiving shaft B instead of extending across the frame of the machine and having its bearing in each side thereof only extends part way, one of its bearings being in the frame A and the other bearing being in the boss or box a on the inner end of the yoke A, which yoke is secured to the side of the machine. The yoke or bracket A has also a box or bearing in which is journaled the reduced end at of a short shaft D upon which is secured the gear-wheel D and disk or plate D in which the stud-arms d, which carry the idle-pinions d*, are secured. The said shaft D has its bearing in the frame of the machine. In other respects the parts are the same as in Fig. 7, excepting that the shell of the housing is cut away and the idle pinions d are journaled at their inner ends upon stud-bolts d of varying lengths, secured in the disk or plate D The gear-wheel D is operated by pinion d through lever (1 the same as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. I

Operation: Referring first to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, it will be noticed that the operating member carrying the idle pinions at the end of the radial arms houses or incloses a.

long pinion B on the power-receiving shaft B and is notched opposite the idle pinions d to allow them to pass through the housing and mesh with the pinion B. In this case the idle pinions are all in mesh with the pinion B, and in order to vary the speed of the machine this housing, which is mounted in hearings in the frame of the machine and concentric with the shaft B, is revolved by a lever (1 through the pinion d meshing with the gear-Wheel D', which is secured on or formed integral with the housing D. If the slowest speed is desired, the smallest of the idle pinions d is in mesh with the largest gear-wheel o secured upon the transmittingshaft 0, and if the highest speed is desired the housing is revolved by the lever to bring tbelarger idle pinion in mesh with the smaller gear-wheel a, secured upon the shaft 0, andthe same with each of the gear-wheels, depending upon the speed desired, the proper idle pinion can be brought in mesh with the pinion B and anyone of the gears c to 0 inclusive, on the power-transmitting shaft, and this operation is performed by turning the lever one full revolution, which revolves the housing onesixth of a revolution. The lever when brought to the position shown in Fig. 1 snaps into the notch in the catch d and locks the housing in any desired position. The same housing, as above described, with its radial arms extending from it, is shown in Fig. 7, with the housing mounted in the bearing eccentric to the shaft B, when one of the idle pinions 01 carried by the arms of the housing, is in mesh with the pinion B and one of the gears on shaft 0. The operation is precisely the same in each case and is also practically the same in the views shown in Figs. 2 and 8 to 11, inclusive, excepting that the moving member in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, slides in a straight instead of a circular path.

In Figs. 12 and 13 there is no difference whatever in the mode of operating the circular moving member from that shown in Figs. 1 to 7, excepting that the power-receiving shaft rying member does not house the shaft 13;

but its inner projecting stud-arms and the idle pinions d travel around the yoke A but the operator actuates the moving member in precisely the same manner in all the views or modifications shown.

I have shown my invention in what I have found from experience to be its simplest form; but it is obvious to those skilled in the art that many more mechanical changes may be made without'departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

hat I claim is- 1. In a speed-changingmechanism for machine-tools, the combination substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the frame,the powerreceiving shaft, the power-transmitting shaft, both of the shafts being journaled in bearings in said frame, the pinion secured on the power-receiving shaft, gears of varying diameters forming a cone-gear secured on the power-transmitting shaft, a moving member carrying idle pinions of varying diameters, the idle pinions, means to actuate themoving member to bring either of its idle pinions into mesh with the pinion on the power-receiving shaft and its companion gear on the powertransmitting shaft.

2. In a speed-changing mechanism of the character described, the combination of the power-receiving shaft, the power-transmitting shaft, a pinion secured upon the receiving-shaft, gears of varying diameters secured on the power-transmitting shaft, the moving member carrying the idle pinions of varying diameters, the idle pinions, a cogged gear, also secured upon the moving member, a pinion secured on the stud-shaft, the stud-shaft, which shaft has its bearings in the frame of the machine, said pinion meshing with the cogged gear secured to the moving member, a lever to turn said pinion for the purpose of actuating the moving member and a catch for the purpose of holding the lever and looking the moving member in any desired position, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination substantially as hereinbefore set forth of a power-receiving shaft, the pinion secured thereon, the power-transmitting shaft, the cone-gears secured thereon, the moving member having radial arms of Varying lengths extending from its axis or path of travel, stud-shafts secured in the ends of said arms, said stud-shafts being parallel to the axis of the power-receiving and powertransmitting shafts, idle pinions of varying diameters journaled on the ends of said studshafts, and means to actuate the moving member for the purpose of bringing one or other of the idle pinions in mesh with the pinion on the power-receiving shaft and either of the gears on the power-transmitting shaft, and

means for locking said moving member in the desired position.

4. In a speed changing mechanism the combination of the powerreceiving shaft having one of its bearings in one side of the machine and its opposite bearing in a bracket or yoke secured to the same side of the machine, the bracket or yoke, a pinion on the power-receiving shaft, the transmitting-shaft, gears of varying diameters secured on the powertransmitting shaft, the moving member carrying arms projecting inwardly around the power-receiving shaft, idle pinions journaled on the ends of said arms, a short shaft journaled at the front side in the frame of the machine, and havinga reduced end journaled in the bracket or yoke secured to the opposite side of the machine, said moving member being secured upon the inner and larger end of said shaft, a gear-wheel also secured upon said short shaft between the moving member and the side of the machine and means to revolve the moving member for the purpose of bringing one of the idle gears into mesh with the pinion on the power-receiving shaft and its opposite gear-wheel secured upon the power-transmitting shaft, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a speed changing mechanism the combination of the power receiving shaft having one of its hearings in one side of the machine and its opposite bearing in a bracket or yoke secured to the same side of the machine, the bracket or yoke, a pinion on the power-receiving shaft, the transmitting shaft, gears of varying diameters secured on the power-transmitting shaft, the moving member carrying arms projecting inwardly around the power-receiving shaft, idle pinions jour naled on the ends of said arms, a short shaft journaled at the front side in the frame of the machine, and having a reduced end journaled in the bracket or yoke secured to the opposite side of the machine, said moving member being secured upon the inner and larger end of said shaft, a gear-wheel also secured upon said short shaft between the moving member and the side of the machine, a stud-shaft journaled in the frame of the machine, a pinion, d secured on the inner end of said shaft to mesh with the gear-wheel, D, a lever, d secured upon the projecting end of said stud-shaft and a catch to hold the lever and prevent the revolution of the moving member and its connections when either one of the idle pinions are brought in mesh with pinion on the driving-shaft and either of the gear-wheels on the transmitting-shaft, substantially as shown and described.

JAMES MILLS.

Witnesses:

R. O. BLAKE, A. MOCORMAOK. 

